editorNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Clay Masters is a reporter for Iowa Public Radio and formerly for Harvest Public Media . His stories have appeared on NPRNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Clay MastersTue, 19 Sep 2017 08:32:36 +0000Clay Mastershttp://whqr.org
Clay MastersMany conservatives pundits and lawmakers were incensed that President Donald Trump appeared to make a deal with Democrats to enshrine into law the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that shields many undocumented immigrants who were brought into the U.S. as children. To make matters worse for immigration hawks, Trump is also not requiring funding to build a wall along the Mexican border as a condition of the possible deal. For Trump, who campaigned in favor of the border wall and for ending the DACA program, his reversal is a major test of the so-called Fifth Avenue principle he gave during the election. "They say I have the most loyal people. Did you ever see that? Where I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters. It's like incredible," said Trump during a campaign stop in Sioux Center, Iowa in January 2016. If the reaction of those at a gathering of social conservatives in Iowa over the weekend is any guide, Trump'sTrump's DACA Moves Aren't Shaking His Most Loyal Supportershttp://whqr.org/post/trumps-daca-moves-arent-shaking-his-most-loyal-supporters
123629 as http://whqr.orgMon, 18 Sep 2017 16:33:00 +0000Trump's DACA Moves Aren't Shaking His Most Loyal SupportersClay MastersLawmakers in Iowa began debating a bill Tuesday to dramatically change how public sector unions negotiate their contracts, part of a wave of legislation in statehouses across the country to roll back union rights . The bill, similar to a 2011 law in Wisconsin, is high on the state's legislative agenda and comes as Republicans control both chambers of the state Legislature and the governor's mansion for the first time in nearly 20 years. About 180,000 state and local government workers would be prohibited from negotiating over issues including health insurance, seniority and extra pay. The legislation also leaves in place a provision that prevents workers from going on strike. And it includes provisions that would make it more difficult for unions to collect dues. Public safety employees, such as law enforcement officers, would be exempt from certain provisions of the bill. Critics say exempting public safety workers divides unions. Ahead of hearings on the leglslation, teachers,Iowa Moves To Restrict Collective Bargaining For Public Sector Workershttp://whqr.org/post/iowa-moves-restrict-collective-bargaining-public-sector-workers
110277 as http://whqr.orgTue, 14 Feb 2017 22:49:00 +0000Iowa Moves To Restrict Collective Bargaining For Public Sector WorkersClay MastersFrom the Black Lives Matter movement to environmentalists trying to stop new oil pipelines to the recent Women's March against President Trump, the past year has been filled with large, often spontaneous protests. Now the reaction to those protests is appearing in a number of Republican-controlled statehouses across the country, where lawmakers are introducing proposals to increase penalties for those who block roadways while protesting. A bill in Iowa was inspired by a protest against Donald Trump shortly after the November election. More than 100 demonstrators blocked traffic on Interstate 80, just outside Iowa City, Iowa, stopping traffic on the busy trucking route for almost a half-hour. "You're not just stopping traffic," said Republican state Sen. Jake Chapman about his bill , which would apply to people blocking highways with speeds posted above 55 mph. Violators could get a felony and spend five years in prison, plus a fine of up to $7,500 "You're impeding law enforcementBills Across The Country Could Increase Penalties For Protestershttp://whqr.org/post/bills-across-country-could-increase-penalties-protesters
109356 as http://whqr.orgTue, 31 Jan 2017 18:15:00 +0000Bills Across The Country Could Increase Penalties For ProtestersClay MastersCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: There's one issue the major presidential candidates seem to agree on. Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton say they're opposed to President Obama's multi-national trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In the swing state of Iowa, many agricultural groups like the TPP because it will open new markets for exports like Iowa pork. Iowa Public Radio's Clay Masters reports from the Iowa State Fair, where agriculture and politics meet. UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1: We got a lot of work to do so we're going to get started. But first of all, we're going to call them. CLAY MASTERS, BYLINE: It's standing room only at the swine barn for the Iowa State Fair's big boar contest. UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1: (Imitating boar). MASTERS: The top prize is awarded to the heaviest pig. UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1: One thousand, one hundred forty-eight pounds. MASTERS: On this date, swine veterinarian Howard Hill is one of the fairgoers strolling down theIowa Republicans Struggle To Reconcile Support For Trump And TPPhttp://whqr.org/post/iowa-republicans-struggle-reconcile-support-trump-and-tpp
99910 as http://whqr.orgFri, 19 Aug 2016 20:26:00 +0000Iowa Republicans Struggle To Reconcile Support For Trump And TPPClay MastersCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit Transcript ARI SHAPIRO, HOST: Now we're going to hear about the field operations for the two Democratic candidates in Iowa - what their staffs and volunteers are saying when they knock on doors. Iowa Public Radio's Clay Masters reports on their roles in trying to create momentum. CLAY MASTERS, BYLINE: Eight years ago, Hillary Clinton came in third in the Iowa caucuses. Her campaign is eager to win Iowa this time. It has 26 field offices, plenty of staff and volunteers who have been organizing on her behalf for more than a year. Scott Thompson is knocking doors in Des Moines. On this day, he stands on Dave Petheram's doorstep and asks him if he's supporting Clinton. DAVE PETHERAM: I'm moving there. SCOTT THOMPSON: OK. PETHERAM: OK. THOMPSON: Well, do - well, it - do you have any questions? Is there anything that you need to - that I could help with? PETHERAM: Well, as we all know, she's got some baggage, but I'm moving there, OK? I figure that mayField Organizers For Clinton, Sanders Work To Build Momentum In Iowahttp://whqr.org/post/field-organizers-clinton-sanders-work-build-momentum-iowa
87279 as http://whqr.orgThu, 21 Jan 2016 22:08:00 +0000Field Organizers For Clinton, Sanders Work To Build Momentum In IowaClay MastersRepublican presidential candidate Ted Cruz is stepping up his game in Iowa. The first term Texas senator has picked up influential endorsements there and is drawing bigger crowds. At the stage of the race when many caucus-goers are still deciding who to support in the first in the nation presidential caucus, Cruz is making a big play for Iowa evangelical voters, who helped Mike Huckabee in 2008 and Rick Santorum in 2012 win the Iowa Republican caucuses. On the first Sunday of Advent at the Christian Life Assembly of God Church in Des Moines, Ted Cruz, a Southern Baptist, appeared to feel right at home. "It is so wonderful to have a chance to spend Thanksgiving Sunday together. Thank you for welcoming me here," said Cruz. At the church, Cruz talked about how he sees the country's religious liberties under attack but did not mention any of the polls that show him closing in second place in Iowa and gaining ground on front-runner Donald Trump. In a lighter moment, Cruz recited a sceneIowa Evangelicals Warm To Ted Cruzhttp://whqr.org/post/iowa-evangelicals-warm-ted-cruz
84454 as http://whqr.orgTue, 01 Dec 2015 15:04:00 +0000Iowa Evangelicals Warm To Ted CruzClay MastersCopyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit Transcript KELLY MCEVERS, HOST: Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz is stepping up his game in Iowa. The Texas senator has picked up influential endorsements there and is now drawing bigger crowds. Many of the state's caucus-goers are still deciding who they will support. Iowa Public Radio's Clay Masters reports that Ted Cruz is making a big play for the much-coveted evangelical vote in that state. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED MAN: (Singing) My chains are gone. CLAY MASTERS, BYLINE: It was the first Sunday of Advent at the Christian Life Assembly of God Church in Des Moines. Ted Cruz felt right at home. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) TED CRUZ: It is so wonderful to have the chance to spend Thanksgiving Sunday together. Thank you for welcoming me here at... MASTERS: Iowa's evangelical voters helped Mike Huckabee in 2008 and Rick Santorum in 2012 win the Iowa caucuses. At the church, Cruz talked about how he sees theTed Cruz Tries To Woo Evangelical Voters In Iowahttp://whqr.org/post/ted-cruz-tries-woo-evangelical-voters-iowa
84406 as http://whqr.orgMon, 30 Nov 2015 21:12:00 +0000Ted Cruz Tries To Woo Evangelical Voters In IowaClay MastersFor decades, many presidential candidates campaigning in Iowa have made sure to offer their loud support for ethanol — the fuel made from corn. Ethanol is an important industry in Iowa. The state is the top producer of ethanol in the nation, accounting for 28 percent of national production, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But this election cycle, ethanol is not the campaign force it once was. Take the contrast between George W. Bush's 2000 presidential campaign and the current campaign of his brother, Jeb Bush. During a 1999 debate in Iowa, George Bush declared: "I support ethanol, and I support ethanol strongly. I'd support ethanol whether I was in here in Iowa or not." That position helped power Bush to victory in the 2000 Iowa caucuses before eventually winning the White House. The Bush administration created the Renewable Fuel Standard that required ethanol to be blended into the nation's gasoline supply. These days, the Obama administration is proposing toGot Corn? Ethanol Is No Longer King In Iowa Among Candidateshttp://whqr.org/post/got-corn-ethanol-no-longer-king-iowa-among-candidates
82377 as http://whqr.orgTue, 27 Oct 2015 08:29:00 +0000Got Corn? Ethanol Is No Longer King In Iowa Among CandidatesClay MastersThe state's largest water utility is suing county boards for polluting rivers the city uses for drinking water. At the heart of the fight is whether or not farmers should be forced to comply with federal water quality standards. Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit Transcript AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: Farmers in the Midwest are also thinking about water, specifically the use of tiles - underground tubes that help farmers manage water for their crops. Iowa's largest water utility is suing three counties in the state, contending the tiles send farm water downstream, polluting a source of drinking water. Iowa Public Radio's Clay Masters has that story. CLAY MASTERS: Right now, there's no regulation requiring that Iowa farmers address the water leaving their fields through underground tiles. But that doesn't mean some aren't trying to address it. On a chilly early spring morning, Nathan Anderson is walking across one of his fields of brown corn stubble and stops to uncover something you mightIowa Water Lawsuit Calls Some Farming Practices Into Questionhttp://whqr.org/post/iowa-water-lawsuit-calls-some-farming-practices-question
70675 as http://whqr.orgTue, 07 Apr 2015 20:21:00 +0000Iowa Water Lawsuit Calls Some Farming Practices Into QuestionClay MastersAt the Central Iowa Shelter and Services in Des Moines, Iowa, health insurance navigator Andrea Pearce stood in a crowded dining hall on a recent day, shouting instructions on how residents can sign up for Medicaid. "If you do not have insurance and you want to enroll and you have an e-mail address where you know the password," she said, "come to the computer lab we will guide you through the application." Jerry Gross enthusiastically darted to the front of the line. This tall 56-year-old carries just a duffle bag and his winter coat. He arrived in Des Moines in early December. He says when he can't find a job in one town, he hitchhikes until he can find work. But he's uninsured, and taking care of his health is always tough. "I take three different water pills for hypertension. I've got like 10 more days of that left, and after that what do you do?" he says. When the federal Affordable Care Act called for states to expand Medicaid programs to cover people like Gross, Iowa RepublicanIowa Opens The Doors To Medicaid Coverage, On Its Own Termshttp://whqr.org/post/iowa-opens-doors-medicaid-coverage-its-own-terms
48129 as http://whqr.orgThu, 26 Dec 2013 21:50:00 +0000Iowa Opens The Doors To Medicaid Coverage, On Its Own TermsClay MastersIowa City librarian Jason Paulios pulls out his smartphone, enters his library-card number and begins downloading an album by local metal band Blizzard at Sea. "So it's extracting now," he says, eyes on the screen. "It's at about 90 percent." The download takes about five minutes to complete. Paulios says it's a great way to check out local music: You could be waiting for a concert to start, download an album by the band you're about to see and then listen to it on the way home. This is the Iowa City Library Local Music Project. The idea for it came to retired librarian John Hiett while he was sitting in a bar, watching a performance by one of his favorite local artists. He realized he was spending the library's budget on a bunch of musicians who weren't from Iowa. "I was watching Dave Zollo play, and I thought, you know, he's so good, how come we ship all our music budget out of town? How come we don't do more with this?" Hiett says. "And I may have had a few at that point, but I hadA Unique Digital Music Service, For Locals Onlyhttp://whqr.org/post/library-turns-local-scene
41884 as http://whqr.orgThu, 22 Aug 2013 16:11:00 +0000A Unique Digital Music Service, For Locals OnlyClay Mastershttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v74m9xomCys William Tyler takes the stage at the Trumpet Blossom Café, a vegan restaurant and bar in Iowa City. Surrounded by effects pedals for his guitar, he wears jeans and black cowboy boots, and his fingernails are about an inch long. "I'm glad that we already had an amazing singer tonight, because I will not be singing at all," he tells the crowd. Tyler is a young guitarist who, like the late Jack Rose , has come from the world of rock to the old sound of finger-picked acoustic guitar that's been dubbed "American Primitive." In doing so, Tyler has managed to come up with his own sound blending the two. He's in the midst of a tour supporting his second record, Impossible Truth . While his songs lack lyrics, they're not short on backstory. He'll set them up with discourses on dead languages, lost books and traveling the world alone. And that's how Tyler prefers it — he says he'd rather talk about his music than sing it. "I'd rather write an artistWilliam Tyler Speaks 'Truth' Through His Guitarhttp://whqr.org/post/william-tyler-speaks-truth-through-his-guitar
41630 as http://whqr.orgSat, 17 Aug 2013 14:14:00 +0000William Tyler Speaks 'Truth' Through His GuitarClay Mastershttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3OLRd0uheE Big Harp guitarist and lead singer Chris Senseney pulls his minivan into a gas station off Interstate 80 near the small town of Walnut, Iowa. His wife, and the band's bassist, Stefanie Drootin-Senseney jostles through children's books and toys scattered on the floor. Their kids do what kids do on long car trips: sing. This is a quick pit stop between shows in Minneapolis and Omaha, Neb. As Chris fills up the family wagon that doubles as a tour bus, he remarks this wasn't how he pictured his music career. "I didn't start touring, playing music until I was like 25, and Hank was born when I was 26, so I only had a year of doing it the other way," he says. "It was really fun, but this way it feels a lot healthier. We wake up early in the morning don't stay out too late." Stefanie and Chris are from pretty different backgrounds. She grew up in the sprawling Los Angeles valley playing bass in punk bands, and went on to play backup for the likes ofA Married Duo Chases The Dream, Toddlers In Towhttp://whqr.org/post/married-duo-chases-dream-toddlers-tow
30071 as http://whqr.orgSun, 13 Jan 2013 11:10:00 +0000A Married Duo Chases The Dream, Toddlers In TowClay MastersTranscript STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep. RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: And I'm Renee Montagne. Good morning. The drought is hurting farming operations in much of the Midwest and Southwest, and its next possible victim: barge traffic on the Mississippi River. There were fears that shipping on this crucial cargo route could come to a halt as early as this week, when water levels reach historic lows. But the Army Corps of Engineers says the river will likely stay open for shipping at least until the end of the month. Still, many businesses that send products up and down the river remain concerned about what the future holds. Iowa Public Radio's Clay Masters begins his report along the river. CLAY MASTERS, BYLINE: I'm standing along the snowy banks of the Mississippi River in Muscatine, Iowa. There's some light flurries in the air. Some geese are flying overhead. The water's about 10 feet deep here, but there are no barges moving on the river TIM BLY:Mississippi River Level Disrupts Supply Chainhttp://whqr.org/post/mississippi-river-level-disrupts-supply-chain
29868 as http://whqr.orgWed, 09 Jan 2013 09:46:00 +0000Mississippi River Level Disrupts Supply ChainClay MastersPresident Obama is headed to Iowa on Tuesday where he will likely talk about wind energy. The president says he'll continue tax credits for wind energy and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney says he won't.Romney, Obama Divided On Wind Energy Tax Credithttp://whqr.org/post/romney-obama-divided-wind-energy-tax-credit
23039 as http://whqr.orgMon, 27 Aug 2012 21:08:00 +0000Romney, Obama Divided On Wind Energy Tax CreditClay MastersOne of the country's toughest congressional races is in Iowa between Republican Rep. Steve King and the state's former first lady, Christie Vilsack. Iowa is losing a seat in the House after the election, due to redistricting. Now ultra-conservative King is facing a more moderate electorate as he runs in the newly redrawn 4 th Congressional District against a political newcomer. This week, King and Vilsack took their messages to the Iowa State Fair, a magnet for political candidates. President Obama and Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan have also appeared there in recent days. Up at the pork tent, King worked a long line of hungry fair-goers. "Ready for my pork chop?" a fair-goer asked King. "I had a little bite," said King. "I tested 'em out for you. I'm here to tell you, avoid the veggie burger — go for the chops," he joked. The new district is believed to be more moderate, since it includes the college town of Ames, home of Iowa State, a massive agricultural researchKing, Vilsack Take House Battle To The Fairground http://whqr.org/post/king-vilsack-take-house-battle-iowa-state-fair
22561 as http://whqr.orgSat, 18 Aug 2012 10:31:00 +0000King, Vilsack Take House Battle To The Fairground Clay MastersThe drought is beginning to really sink its teeth into the Midwest. More than three-quarters of the nation's corn acres are in a drought zone. In Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, corn crops are burning up and its causing commodity prices to shoot up. Suburban residents are paying to water their lawns, but it isn't doing much good.Drought Hits Farmers And Residential Landscapershttp://whqr.org/post/drought-hits-farmers-and-residential-landscapers
20702 as http://whqr.orgThu, 19 Jul 2012 12:01:00 +0000Drought Hits Farmers And Residential LandscapersClay MastersCopyright 2017 Iowa Public Radio. To see more, visit Iowa Public Radio . MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: This is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. I'm Melissa Block. AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: And I'm Audie Cornish. A full year after Missouri River flood waters ravaged homes, businesses and farms in the Great Plains, the cleanup goes on - as does the battle over how to prepare for future floods. Some want the Missouri controlled for navigation. That means more water held back upriver. But others, looking to protect endangered species, want the river to flow more freely. Iowa Public Radio's Clay Masters has the story. CLAY MASTERS, BYLINE: Sioux City sits along the Missouri River in northwest Iowa. The channel is straightened and controlled up here, to keep barges moving along the river down south. Jim Redmond is with the Northwest Iowa Sierra Club, and thinks the Missouri River is just too industrialized. JIM REDMOND: The water that fell up in North Dakota and Montana and South Dakota, that'sWater War Continues In Iowa After Flooding Recedeshttp://whqr.org/post/water-war-continues-iowa-after-flooding-recedes
18414 as http://whqr.orgWed, 13 Jun 2012 21:08:00 +0000Water War Continues In Iowa After Flooding RecedesClay MastersFormer Nebraska Gov. and two-term Sen. Bob Kerrey, who faces long odds in reclaiming the seat left open by retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson, is in his home state trying to get his old job back. After a full of morning of shaking hands, smiling and trying to win over voters, Kerrey settles on lunch at the Taqueria Tijuana in south Omaha. After lunch, he takes off walking down 24th Street, telling his staffers to catch up with him. He says things are different now from when he first sought public office in 1982. "It's the theory of quantum mechanics: Everything looks different depending on where you stand," he says. "So the world looks different to me at 68 than it does when I was at 38, or 48, even 58. I know what the Senate's like. I know what's there. I know it's hard, but I also know how to do the work." The latest polls show Kerrey trailing not one, not two, but the top three GOP contenders by double digits. But sitting shotgun in a staffer's SUV, Kerrey says he's not worriedDemocrat Bob Kerrey Faces Uphill Race In Nebraskahttp://whqr.org/post/democrat-bob-kerrey-faces-uphill-race-nebraska
14887 as http://whqr.orgTue, 17 Apr 2012 06:53:00 +0000Democrat Bob Kerrey Faces Uphill Race In Nebraska